French beauty experts reveal their anti-ageing secrets – and the products they swear by if you want to look as chic as a Parisienne!
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It’s holiday packing season, and I can’t be the only woman who leaves space in the suitcase for beauty souvenirs (is there anything quite so satisfying as a tour around the aisles of a well-appointed Parisian pharmacy?)
For those of us who are not off to France this summer (myself included), the good news is you can now buy most of those brilliant brands here.
It’s no good just scooping up armfuls of La Roche-Posay, though: you also need to know the techniques and routines that underpin that effortless look.
From the Parisian way to brush your hair to the regime that gives you ‘French skin’, read on for our experts’ tips and tricks…
Dr Antoni Calmon, cosmetic doctor in Paris and London and founder of Pers Skincare
In France, skincare always takes priority over make-up. Women don’t wear much base – beautiful skin is seen as the ultimate foundation.
If you want French skin, focus on hydration and avoid over exfoliation or harsh products; it’s essential to be gentle.
But that doesn’t mean you don’t do anything, of course. Smart use of 0.3 per cent retinol every other night is important if you want to get pore-free smooth skin.
The one product I’d recommend from my Pers line is the make-up remover Cleansing Balm, writes Dr Antoni Calmon
You must also protect the skin daily with antioxidant serum (vitamin C) and a high protection SPF, even in winter.
The one product I’d recommend from my Pers line is the make-up remover Cleansing Balm (£50, harrods.com).
For an affordable yet effective choice, I also often suggest a classic pharmacy staple such as Bioderma body oil cleanser, which can also be used on the face and keeps the skin soft and hydrated without breaking the bank.
- pers-skincare.com
Dr Marine Vincent, founder and owner of The French Pharmacy in London
A typical French approach to make-up is to choose one feature to highlight: either the eyes or the lips, but never both. A bold red lip will always be our go-to when we want to feel confident and elegant. It’s a classic that never fails.
I love Rouge Allure from Chanel: iconic (£42, chanel.com). For eyes, tubular mascara – such as Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Zero-Smudge – coats each lash in a water-resistant film that doesn’t smear or flake yet removes easily with warm water (£29.50, esteelauder.co.uk). Alternatively try SVR Palpebral mascara for sensitive eyes (£18, thefrenchpharmacy.co).
We also love products that are easy to use on the move, such as the Aime Lip & Cheek Tint (£32, thefrenchpharmacy.co). It’s designed beautifully and is perfect for natural-looking touch-ups.
- thefrenchpharmacy.co
Rebecca Trevalinet, beauty entrepreneur and founder of Methode Trevalinet
Parisian women love short routines. Cold water on the face to reduce puffiness, quick lymphatic drainage massage while applying moisturiser, dry brushing before showering to boost circulation, and they’re ready for their morning cafe.
Here’s how we do it… First, open the lymph nodes in your face (above the collarbone, next to the ear, inner corner of the eye) by pressing gently on them, then focus on massaging from the centre of your chin to the nodes near your ear, then move down across your collarbone.
Et voila! Sharp cheekbones and a tight jawline.
- methodetrevalinet.com
Julia Tissot-Gaillard, CEO at France’s leading luxury hair brush brand, Altesse Studio
The French have an attention to detail which comes from our love of beautiful things. Also, we pay attention to heritage and tradition – I brush my hair 100 times a day, like my grandmother taught me. Here’s my method…
First, brush 25 times with head tilted to the left, from the right ear to the left ear. Then, 25 times with head tilted to the right, from the left ear to the right ear. Next, 25 times with head upright, from the front to the back of the head. And finally, 25 times with head tilted forward, from the nape of the neck to the tips.
Brushing like this ensures the natural oils are distributed around your head, keeping hair healthy and youthful looking. The final step, with your head forwards, guarantees volume.
- altesse-studio.com
Alice du Parcq is an award-winning fragrance writer and presenter
My father is French and moved here in the 1960s. He was (and still is) a hair colourist to some extremely glamorous women (he did Princess Margaret’s hair for 40 years).
Thierry Mugler Angel
I often smell Thierry Mugler Angel on French women, especially in Paris, writes Alice du Parcq. It’s bold and generous, and its big patchouli notes smell incredible blended with a whiff of cigarette smoke
When we’re in our hometown of Annecy, it is full of the most beautiful, elegant women who dress and apply perfume for themselves, never for others.
French women greet each other with a kiss on each cheek, so you can bet they’re going to maximise this moment with a big dose of scent.
Rather than spraying the neck or chest (the alcohol could dissolve their decolletage creams and ointments), they’ll dab a neat parfum behind the ears, on the wrists and behind the knees so the scent moves around with them as they stride.
I often smell Thierry Mugler Angel on French women, especially in Paris. It’s bold and generous, and its big patchouli notes smell incredible blended with a whiff of cigarette smoke.
Oh, and a French woman would rather save up for a year for a proper scent than wear a dupe. In the meantime, they’ll pick an affordable fragrance from a respected French brand such as Roger & Gallet, Nuxe, Yves Rocher or Fragonard.
- @aliceduparcq
